Before teams play their first matches, all players should read and completely understand the rules.

We'll do our best to keep this section updated at all times, but in certain circumstances this may not be possible. In the case of a discrepancy, decisions made by CEVO Staff will take precedence.

CEVO reserves the right to make changes to any/all rules as deemed appropriate by CEVO at any time in an effort to maintain the spirit of fair play.

Members

Sportsmanship

All members are required to uphold and observe a universal level of sportsmanship. Any unsportsmanlike action which can include, but is not limited to racism, profanity, rude/vulgar acts, abusive remarks, and disrespect of an official are not tolerated. Users who engage in unsportsmanlike conduct are subject to suspension, match forfeits, or any other punishment that CEVO deems necessary.

Any accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct should be submitted in the form of a dispute and will be investigated by CEVO staff. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT DISPUTES WILL NOT RESULT IN ROUND OR SCORE CHANGES.

Member Names

Member game handles containing any of the following will not be tolerated: profanity, racism, sexism, drug use, or general vulgarity. Players found with offensive names may be contacted by an official and asked to change their name to something more appropriate.

Teams

Captain / A-Captain / Scheduler / Coach Roles

Team Captains are in control of every aspect of the team. Team Captains have the right to edit team information, add or remove members on the team, schedule matches, report scores, and file disputes. Every team is required to have a Team Captain.

Assistant Captains are able to schedule matches, report scores, and file disputes. Assistant Captains are not required, but CEVO recommends that every team designate an Assistant Captain in case of an absence of the Team Captain.

Schedulers are able to schedule matches and report scores. Schedulers are not required, but CEVO recommends that every team designate a Scheduler in case of an absence of the Team Captain or Assistant Captain.

Coaches are currently only available in CEVO premium divisions and events. Coaches must be on the roster and marked @ready in order to participate in matches for their teams. Users who are assigned as a "Coach" can also in times of a man down, play as a player but must be marked as a member on the roster and rejoin the server after this change has been made and vice versa.

Team Names

Team Names containing any of the following will not be tolerated: profanity, racism, sexism, drug use, or general vulgarity. Teams found with offensive names may be contacted by an official and asked to change their name to something more appropriate.

Team Name Changes

Team name changes are allowed at any time, but are limited to one change every 30 days. Additional changes may be requested from CEVO Support and will be approved on a case by case basis.

Rosters

Team rosters are established during the registration period prior to the start of an event. Changes to team rosters may take place at almost any time before the event’s final roster lock, this will vary by event type.

Players are not eligible to play in a match unless they are on a team’s official roster and all teams are required to have the minimum number of players required to play a match on their roster to be considered an active team.

CEVO reserves the right at anytime to modify rosters for their events due to ongoing roster changes in professional teams and organizations. This mainly applies for CEVO-P and Professional Placement Tournaments.

Rosters that transcend events via qualification or placement must retain a majority of the qualifying roster in order to be considered the same roster and maintain eligibility.

Team Captain Changes

Changes to the player designated as the Team Captain are permitted if the Team Captain would like to transfer leadership to another member of the team, has been removed from the event by an official, would like to leave the team, or has been mutinied by the other members of the roster.

Team Rights to Terminate a Team Captain (Mutiny Rule)

The members on a team roster reserve the right to oust the Team Captain at any time during the event. For a team to enact this rule, a simple majority of the members on the team must cast their votes for a new Team Captain. In the case of a mutiny, the player with the most votes will be set as the new Team Captain.

NOTE: To be eligible to cast a mutiny vote, a player must have been on the team roster for at least one week.

Matches

Scheduling

Match Scheduling Guidelines

Matches are to be scheduled and played on or before the deadline date of each round. Failure to schedule and play a match before the end of the deadline date could result in forfeit loss.

Teams are required to contact their opponent through the CEVO match communication thread prior to the match deadline date to establish the match time and arrange server information for any and all matches without a default time set by CEVO. Teams will be notified via email that a proposal is going to be automatically accepted in 8 hours if it isn't rejected by the expiration time. Teams will be limited to 5 active proposals per match at any given time.

While communicating via other third party applications (IRC, Skype, STEAM, etc.) is commonplace, CEVO will only accept communication logs from the CEVO match communication thread as evidence in the case of dispute.

When a match time is proposed the other team will have 24 hours to respond. Failure to accept or reject the match time proposal within 24 hours will result in the proposed time being auto-accepted.

Match Scheduling After the Deadline Day

Teams are NOT allowed to schedule or play their matches after the match deadline date without explicit permission from CEVO Support. Teams that require an extension to their match deadline date, should contact CEVO Support immediately. Match extensions are given by on a case-by-case basis and may not be permitted in certain events under any circumstances.

Makeup Matches

Teams that receive any forfeit wins may be automatically rescheduled against another opponent wherever possible at the discretion of CEVO. Forfeit losses will never be rescheduled. Playoff matches, group play matches, and ladder matches that end in a forfeit will not be rescheduled and will be counted towards standings.

Client Rules

CEVO CSGO Client Requirements

All members are REQUIRED to install and run the CEVO CSGO Client application prior to playing in any CEVO event. This program will communicate directly with CEVO content servers, dedicated servers, and the member's client machine to provide game environment authentication.

Members that experience difficulties running the client are required to contact CEVO Support before starting their match. Players that are not running the client are NOT allowed to participate in any CEVO matches.

All players are required to be logged in to the client for the entire duration of the match. Players who do not meet this requirement may face a penalty to their team.

We insist that all members planning to play in any and all CS:GO events provided by CEVO keep their client up-to-date and ensure the client is working properly well before matchtimes. Delays caused by negligence resulting from this will warrant forfeits and forced gameplay such as 4v4 or 4v5 situations.

Game Servers

Private Game Servers

Teams may utilize their own dedicated server ONLY in the FREE/Open division, as long as it falls within the ping imbalance rule, is not hosted locally, and has the most recent CEVO configuration files installed.

In the event that a Non-CEVO server is used, ANY and ALL issues that arise from server problems will be the sole responsibility of the hosting team. This includes, but is not limited to, server reboots, round restarts, and map changes. Matches may be split and played on two dedicated servers only in the event of server problems and with CEVOs discretion.

All FREE servers are issued on a first come first served basis. The RCON holder is responsible for starting the match and should never alter any illegal commands when setting up the server for a match, (rcon status, sv_cheats, etc) or they risk suspension.

All PAID divisions are REQUIRED to use CEVO official servers unless otherwise explicitly stated by an official.

Game Server Configuration Settings and Files

All teams that host a CEVO match on their own match server must ensure that the latest versions of CEVO's server configuration files are installed and running properly. It is the hosting team’s responsibility to ensure that the proper configurations are installed and working as intended, prior to the start of the match. Once a match has officially started, teams may not file disputes for the use of incorrect game settings. CEVO does not typically allow modded private servers for use for official match use however upon both teams agreements, these may be allowed (ex. Warmod, eBot, etc) and in which you waive all rights to dispute illegal configurations.

Server Locations

The following server locations are available through CEVO:

Amsterdam, NL

Chicago

Dallas

Denver

Frankfurt, DE

London, UK

Los Angeles

New York

Paris, FR

Seattle

Toronto

Washington, D.C.

Ping Imbalance & Server Selection

The difference between each team's average pings can be no greater than thirty milliseconds. Pings must be confirmed by logging into the agreed upon server and not through 3rd party tools like HLSW, or HLIT. Loss and choke will not be an acceptable reason not to play in a server; ping will be the only determining factor.

If the difference between the average team pings is less than (30) thirty milliseconds, the server is acceptable for play.

North America:

Members outside of the continental United States, Canada, & Mexico waive their right to the ping imbalance rule. CEVO officials reserve the right to force servers that may fall outside this ping imbalance rule to be played, in the event of another more equally balanced server not being available.

Europe:

Members outside of the countries within the European Union waive their right to the ping imbalance rule. CEVO officials reserve the right to force servers that may fall outside this ping imbalance rule to be played, in the event of another more equally balanced server not being available.

Teams should propose server locations prior to their match scheduled start times. CEVO by default will set a default server if a prior server arrangement is not officially made and these servers MAY fall outside desired locations or ping imbalance rules. CEVO officials will determine what server MUST be used for the match if a dispute of ping is made.

Server Crashes or Instability Issues

If a server crashes during any match, all rounds that have been fully completed will count towards the final score. All remaining rounds of the match may be played on a new server using the CEVO configuration and a backup file (match medic) being restored as determined by CEVO.

Any and all server instability issues should warrant the match be paused immediately. In the spirit of sportsmanship, the round should be called "Not Live" by both teams in all chat if the issue is so severe fair play is not possible. All users should remain in the server and contact support immediately. CEVO reserve the right to restore or not restore match medics to servers that become unstable if both teams failed to agree upon calling the round unplayable and void.

Please contact support in order to have matches restored if a CEVO server was used.

Gameplay Guidelines

Match Guideline

A match can be formatted in several ways, Single Maps, Best of Threes, or more. A map within a match consists of two fifteen round halves. A map is considered complete once one team wins sixteen rounds or wins within regulation overtime.

Playing from a LAN Center

Members are encouraged to play their matches from a LAN Center; however LAN centers MUST be able to run the CEVO CSGO Client.

Players that are going to be playing from a LAN CENTER need to notify CEVO Support prior to the match so there is no confusion regarding ringing.

Players Required to Start a Match

All matches are to be played with a minimum of (4) four players per team. If a team does not have the required minimum of (4) four players at the deadline of fifteen minutes past the scheduled match time, the match should be reported as a forfeit win. Teams are not allowed to play with less than (4) four players unless the match has already started and a player(s) has disconnected.

Match Side and Server Choice Guidelines

Unless knife for sides is enabled, the home team has the right to choose which server and side they would like to start on. Teams are required to play one half as CT and one half as T.

Both teams have the right to play one half on their own server as long as it meets the CEVO Ping Imbalance requirements.

CEVO has the right to force teams to play their match on a specific server for any reason, regardless of the Ping Imbalance requirements for one or both halves (including overtimes).

Unique Game IDs

It is each team’s responsibility to verify that the opposing team’s roster and player’s Game ID's are correct prior to the start of any match. Once a match goes LIVE there can be no dispute filed for incorrect or missing Game ID's.

All players MUST enter their Game ID’s prior to playing in their first match of the event as they will be used by CEVO for authentication purposes.

In Counter-Strike games, CEVO uses a player’s personal SteamID as our Game ID.

Player Demos

All players in the FREE/Open division are required to record first person demos of all official matches. The players must keep first person demos for at least ten days after the match in case of an evidence request by CEVO staff.

Should CEVO staff request demos from a player, the player in question must upload them. If the player in question cannot produce the demos, they may face suspension and/or have their match score overturned.

If a player has been requested to submit evidence to CEVO, the player has 48 hours to comply.

Player Substitutions

Player substitutions are allowed at any time during the match. Only players with ready status on the team's roster page are allowed to substitute. A player is only allowed to join the game after the player who they are replacing has left the server.

Match Restart Guidelines

Once a match has started, teams are not allowed to restart the match, unless a player drops from the server within the first minute of play and no recorded kills or bomb plants are on record.

Player Connectivity Issues

CEVO is not responsible for players who experience connectivity problems. Teams should have substitute players available to join if a player gets disconnected from the game server. If a player disconnects for any reason, the server should be paused at the first available freezetime. If the lag out occurs within the first minute of play of the half and no recorded kills or bomb plants are on record, the round can be restarted via match medic. All disconnects after freezetime that do not occur during the first round or halftime rounds are subjected to be played out without match medic unless both teams come to an agreement for one to be issued.

If a match medic is needed, ensure the game is paused and contact CEVO support immediately through our TeamSpeak3 server.

Overtime Guidelines

In the instance of a tie after thirty rounds of play, overtime will be played. Overtime consists of two, three round halves. The startmoney will be set at $10000. If the score is still tied after the first overtime, another overtime will be played, this process will be repeated until one team wins. No CEVO matches are allowed to end in a tie. Overtime starts automatically within CEVO.

Violations

Configuration Files

Players are allowed to edit their user configuration files in the native game directory provided that no changes are made to give the player an unfair advantage inside of the game.

Gambling / Fixing Games

No players, team managers, senior staff or management of participating organizations may be involved, either directly or indirectly, in betting or gambling on any of the their own matches in any CEVO hosted tournament, including sponsors. Any betting or gambling for OR against your own organizations matches can lead to player suspensions, match overturns and/or team disqualifications of the involved organizations as well as any addition sanctions CEVO wishes to apply.﻿ Any facilitation of "throwing"﻿ or "match-fixing" will also be a violation of this rule and all parties involved will penalized and suspended from CEVO.

In accordance to Valve, we will be respecting the following message and any bans they wish to implement for violating users:

"Professional players, teams, and anyone involved in the production of CS:GO events, should under no circumstances gamble on CS:GO matches, associate with high volume CS:GO gamblers, or deliver information to others that might influence their CS:GO bets."

Models / Skins (Counter-Strike)

ALL players MUST use default game models. If a member is found using ANY NON-STANDARD models during an official match, it will be considered a violation of the rules and may result in a loss and/or termination from the event.

Sprites (Counter-Strike)

ALL players MUST use default sprites. If a player is found using ANY NON-STANDARD sprite during an official match, it will be considered a violation of the rules and may result in a loss and/or termination from the event.

Cheating

Cheating in any form is considered a violation of the rules and will result in an immediate one year suspension.

Cheating is considered any manipulation of server configurations, client configurations, models, skins, weapons, graphics settings, or sounds to gain an unfair advantage in game. This can also include, but is not limited to, the use of any third party program not deemed legal by CEVO.

In order to maintain the maximum sanctity, integrity, and security of the anti-cheat application, CEVO will not reveal any information/evidence collected by the client to the public, player in question, nor his/her teammates in the event that a cheating suspension is issued.

Users found Cheating or Ban Evading current active Cheating suspensions will have their matches overturned.

Ringing (Smurfing) / Multiclanning

Players that are going to be playing from a place other than their original point of registration should notify CEVO Support prior to playing a match. Failure to do so may result in a ringing violation, unless there is sufficient evidence to prove otherwise.

Any team caught using a ringer will have any affected matches overturned. The team captain and the player in question will also face suspension.

To discourage ringing and roster jumping, CEVO limits a users account from being able to play the same round / match for multiple teams within a single event.

It is illegal for any player to play on multiple teams at the same time. Players are not allowed to use multiple accounts to join different teams participating in the same event for any reason (even if they are separate divisions).

Players who are having trouble accessing their CEVO accounts should contact CEVO Support before creating new accounts.

Game Exploits

It is illegal to intentionally utilize any game exploits including any exploits that are not explicitly covered in the rules. CEVO staff have discretion to determine the intention and extent of any exploit used in game. Players found intentionally utilizing game exploits to gain an unfair advantage over their opponents may face suspension or a reversal of rounds.

Map Exploits

It is illegal to use a map exploit in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage that was not in the original intent of the game or mapmaker. Players found in violation of these rules will be penalized at the discretion of CEVO staff.

Account Sharing

Account sharing is the act of allowing other user(s) to use your CEVO and/or STEAM account on our network.

Any and all users who account share are subject to ANY and ALL penalties imposed on any one of their accounts.

"ex. Account 1 was banned for CHEATING, Account 2 being owned and operated by the same user or being used by the user in violation also receives the same ban"

We strongly encourage all users to never share their accounts with anyone, including family members, otherwise risk joint suspensions.

Bomb Plant and Defuse Guidelines (Counter-Strike)

•Undefusable Bomb Plants

It is illegal to plant the bomb in places where it is impossible to defuse.

•Floating Bomb Plants

It is illegal to plant the bomb in a way that it is not touching a solid entity.

•Silent Bomb Plants

It is illegal to plant a bomb in a location where it doesn’t make the regular “beeping” noise.

•Covered Bomb Plants

It is illegal to use objects to cover a bomb where the opposing players cannot defuse.

•Bomb Defusing

It is illegal to defuse a bomb through any solid object.

Reporting

Match Reporting

At the completion of the match the winning team should report the final score. Team Captains, A-Captains, and Schedulers all have access to report match scores on the website.

If you have reported a match score incorrectly contact CEVO Support immediately to have the match score fixed and avoid potential punishment.

Currently for the FREE/Open divisions we require an end of game scoreboard screenshot and the console "status" screenshot of the game to report match scores.

Forfeits

Forfeit wins may be issued when teams do not have the minimum number of required players in the game server 15 minutes after the scheduled match time.

Teams that forfeit multiple times in the same event may be deactivated depending on the limits set and reached.

Forfeits are NOT to be reported as 16-0 victories. Teams must submit FFW requests and are either awarded automatically due to lack of check-ins or await admin approval.

Disputes

Dispute Process

Only the Team Captain or A-Captain has the right to dispute a member(s) or team that they feel is in violation of the rules. All disputes must be filed within 8 hours of the completion of the reported match. Playoff disputes or other events with stricter schedules are subject to dispute filing times anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Timely resolution of disputes is very important to us and usually rulings will be made within two weeks in normal seasonal play and within 24 hours for fast paced tournaments and playoffs. All parties will be kept up to date on the details of a dispute via email.

Dispute Submission Detail

If you suspect a player(s) of violating the event rules, please list the specific instances where you believe the infractions occurred in the match, along with a detailed explanation and any supporting evidence.

Disputes that are submitted without specific descriptions will be rejected.

Evidence Requests

In the event of a match dispute, CEVO Staff may contact the parties involved via email and request all necessary evidence. Players will have twenty-four (24) hours to submit the requested evidence. Events with accelerated timelines, such as events where multiple rounds/matches are played in a single day, are subject to shorter deadlines.

Players/teams who fail to submit the requested evidence within the deadline may be subject to penalties.

Player / Team Termination Guidelines

In the event that a player or team is found in violation of any rule or CEVO Terms of Use, unless otherwise noted by the specific rule or term violated, the member or team in question may be warned, suspended, or immediately disqualified from any or all CEVO events as determined by CEVO staff.

Any team found with a cheating player during season or ladder play will have any matches the player in question participated in overturned. Any team found with a cheating player during any playoff, tournament, or bracket-based event will be immediately disqualified and removed from the event. Teams found with 2 or more cheaters/ban evaders or other serious violations will be subject to removal from any and all CEVO related events as well.

Media and Spectator Guidelines

Match Coverage, Betting, Casting and Live Streaming

CEVO reserves the right to arrange shared or exclusive casting and broadcasting of any match for any CEVO event. Media partners may be given the right to contact teams directly for server information to facilitate casting. Teams failing to cooperate with CEVO’s media partners or CEVO staff may receive a forfeit loss or be removed from the event. CEVO also reserves the right to allow multiple or exclusive "betting" sites to post CEVO matches regardless of participating teams approval. Teams or players that fail to play their matches or refuse to cut personal broadcasts because of the above can and will be forfeited, not awarded any refunds for entry fees paid for the said event and potentially suspended.

Teams are allowed and encouraged to arrange their own match coverage and casting provided both teams agree and CEVO does not reserve the right for exclusive coverage. This agreement should be posted in the official match communication thread. Either team may refuse unofficial (not arranged by CEVO or CEVO’s media partners) live casting at no penalty. CEVO does not provide match spectator information for their own servers and no casting is allowed on CEVO Premium servers without consent from CEVO.

All outside casters must have a delay set at no less than 120 seconds. It is the responsibility of both teams to verify that the coverage delays are set properly before starting the match. Matches that begin without the proper delay will be accepted as is, and cannot be disputed after the fact.

Events

Prizing

Event Prize Distribution Policy and Guidelines

Every "Ready" player on the roster will receive an equal share of the team's prize money, regardless of whether or not they participated in any matches, and only players who have submitted their earnings forms within 30 days of the conclusion of the event will be paid out.

Claiming Event Prizes

All fully registered domestic players on qualifying / winning teams are eligible to claim prize winnings. If an individual or team qualifies to receive event prizing, the following policies MUST be observed.

Physical Prizes: All individuals eligible to receive physical prizing (computer cases, graphic cards, etc.) will need to submit a CEVO earnings form. These forms will not only provide as acceptance of your prize, but will provide CEVO with the physical address for the delivery of the prize. CEVO will pay for all costs associated with the shipping of the prize but will NOT be liable for any associated customs duties or taxes. Any physical prizes NOT claimed within 30 days of the conclusion of the event will be forfeited. Any cash prizes NOT claimed within 30 days of the conclusion of the event will be subject to a 30% fee to cover taxes and additional administrative fees.

(FOOD AND DRINK PRIZES: CEVO cannot by law send food or beverage internationally and will provide the winning individual with a cash supplement equal to the value of the prize.)

Cash Prizes Under $600.00 USD: All individuals eligible to receive prizing less than $600.00 will need to submit a CEVO earnings form. ALL winnings less than $600.00 will be distributed via PayPal within 14 days of CEVO receiving the earnings

Cash Prizes Over $600.00 USD: All individuals eligible to receive prizing greater than $600.00 will need to submit a CEVO earnings form. ALL winnings greater than $600.00 will be distributed via company check 30 days after the conclusion of the event.

If a winner is under the legal age of majority in his or her state of residence, the winner's parent or legal guardian must also sign the Competitive Earnings Release Form. Sales taxes, if any, and income taxes, are the responsibility of each winner. Each winner, by entering in any CEVO event or contest, consents to the inclusion of his or her name on a list of winners made available to any and all sponsors.

Forfeiture of Event Prizes and Reparation

CEVO prides itself on fair and expedient distribution of prizes to all players for whom reward is rightfully earned.

In the event that a team is disqualified from event for any reason, the entire team will forfeit their prizes to which the team would otherwise be entitled.

Any team that willingly retires from an event prior to its conclusion (for example, opts to forfeit the final match rather than play) will forfeit their rights to all prizes.

If any player or team is currently under formal dispute by an opponent or internal review by CEVO, prize claim forms will not be processed until the resolution of said dispute or review.

CHEATING IN A CEVO EVENT CONSTITUTES A FORM OF FRAUD. In the circumstance that a player is awarded monies or product and then later found to be cheating at any point by a retroactive examination of the player, that player will be required to repay CEVO the full amount of money earned or full market value of product distributed (at the time of distribution) before being allowed to return to competitive play at the end of the suspension.

Event Prizes

All event prizes are determined prior to the event opening for registration unless otherwise stated by a contributing sponsor.

Winners Lists; Rules Request

For a copy of the Winners list, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-size envelope to the following address:

CEVO Inc.

[NAME OF EVENT / CONTEST] Winners List, c/o CEVO Inc.

PO Box 1844

Sykesville, MD 21784

To obtain a copy of these Official Rules, send a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope to the following address:

CEVO Inc.

[NAME OF EVENT / CONTEST] Rules Request, c/o CEVO Inc.

PO Box 1844

Sykesville, MD 21784

Other Governing Event Terms

To the extent permitted by applicable law, all events, contests, and these Official Rules will be governed, construed and interpreted under the laws of the state of Maryland, USA.

These Official Rules are subject to any requirements/limitations imposed by the Federal Communications Commission.

All CEVO events and contests are subject to applicable Federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations.

Members agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of CEVO, which are final and binding in all respects.

CEVO reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify any contest or event, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond CEVO's reasonable control affect the administration, security or proper play of the event or contest or CEVO otherwise becomes (as determined in its sole discretion) incapable of running the event or contest as planned. CEVO reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual found in violation of the Official rules, tampering with any of our software applications, or tampering with the registration process or the operation of any event or contest.

CEVO's failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

Miscellaneous

Exploitation of CEVO Rules

The Official Rules will not apply in any way other than their intended use. In the event of a dispute over the meaning, purpose, or applicability of a rule, or in the event of an attempted exploitation of any Official rule, CEVO shall be the final authority on its applicability and subsequent actions taken, if any.

CEVO Rule Changes

CEVO reserves the right to modify these rules as needed. This includes changes due to software updates or releases, and all other changes deemed necessary by CEVO, Inc.

Players should check the rules on a regular basis and prior to every match to ensure they are in complete compliance.

Players must understand that the rules listed are guidelines that CEVO will use to ensure good sportsmanship as well as fair and competitive play and each of these rules is subject to interpretation.

Contacting Officials

All contact with CEVO officials should be performed through (http://www.cevo.com/support/) or Teamspeak3 at ts.cevo.com

CEVO was founded in 2003 and is built, maintained, and supported with by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.